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Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Composites and Nanocomposites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2021) | Viewed by 28879

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andrzej Rybak

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Guest Editor

ABB Corporate Technology Center, 31-038 Kraków, Poland
Interests: functional polymer composites; electrical insulation; conductive polymer composites; enhanced thermal conductivity; surface modification; adhesion phenomenon; gas barrier materials; additive manufacturing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Karolina Gaska

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor

Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol BS81QU, UK
Interests: graphene-enhanced polymer composites; 2D nanofillers; electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties of polymer composites; antibacterial properties; functional materials; dielectric materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the current research in the polymer-inorganic composites with an emphasis on their application in the advanced technologies.

The composite materials based on a polymer matrix filled with the inorganic particles are of increasing interest due to a possibility of tuning of their functions. Different kinds of polymer matrices can be considered, such as thermoplastic & thermosetting materials, which are based on fossil or bio sources. Currently a very broad range of inorganic fillers is investigated:

- nanofillers, including ceramic nanoparticles: nanosilica, boron nitride nanotubes, silicon nanotubes, halloysite nanotubes, and metal nanopowders,

- microfillers, like: silica flour, layered mineral fillers, glass fibers, montmorillonite, fly ash,

- hybrid fillers, e.g. core-shell structures, POSS, MOF.

The Special Issue will concentrate on the following aspects related to the incorporation of the inorganic fillers into polymer matrix:

- dielectric composites,

- electrically conductive composites,

- improved mechanical parameters,

- enhanced thermal conductivity,

- improved heat dissipation,

- increased thermal resistance,

- functionally graded composite materials,

- antibacterial & antiviral functionality,

- self-cleaning materials,

- self-healing structures,

- gas barrier properties,

- materials for 3D printing,

- improved flame retardancy,

- modelling of polymer-inorganic composites,

- aging and lifetime assessment.

Sustainability is a crucial challenge nowadays, therefore recyclability and use of recycled materials are also of interest. Functionalization of a filler in order to improve properties of the filled polymer composite is a relevant aspect, therefore research works on silanization or other surface treatment methods are welcome.

The above stated applications of the polymer-inorganic composites are only the selected examples. Therefore, the Authors are encouraged to submit their original works related to the applications of the polymer composites filled with inorganic particles in a variety of fields, such as electronics, energy storage, automotive, construction, medicine, additive manufacturing, and others.

Keywords

filled polymer composites
inorganic fillers
functional materials
mechanical properties
electrical conductivity
dielectric materials
thermal conductivity
special applications
advanced polymer composites

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1147 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermally Conductive Shape Memory Polymer Composites Filled with Boron Nitride for Heat Management in Electrical Insulation

by Andrzej Rybak, Lukasz Malinowski, Agnieszka Adamus-Wlodarczyk and Piotr Ulanski

Polymers 2021, 13(13), 2191; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13132191 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3347

Abstract

The evaluation of a possible application of functional shrinkable materials in thermally conductive electrical insulation elements was investigated. The effectiveness of an electron beam and gamma radiation on the crosslinking of a selected high density polyethylene grade was analyzed, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The crosslinked polymer composites filled with ceramic particles were successfully fabricated and tested. On the basis of the performed investigation, it was concluded that the selected filler, namely a boron nitride powder, is suitable for the preparation of the crosslinked polymer composites with enhanced thermal conductivity. The shape memory effect was fully observed in the crosslinked samples with a recovery factor reaching nearly 99%. There was no significant influence of the crosslinking, stretching, and recovery of the polymer composite during shape memory phenomenon on the value of thermal conductivity. The proposed boron nitride filled polyethylene composite subjected to crosslinking is a promising candidate for fabrication of thermally shrinkable material with enhanced heat dissipation functionality for application as electrically insulating components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications)

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10 pages, 1057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Polymer Composite with Core-Shell Ceramic Filler: II. Rheology, Thermal, Mechanical, and Dielectric Properties

by Andrzej Rybak

Polymers 2021, 13(13), 2161; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13132161 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2198

Abstract

Epoxy resin composites filled with ceramic particles are commonly applied in electrification devices as an electrical insulation. In order to maintain proper functionality of such apparatuses it is crucial to optimize a broad range of properties, such as thermal, mechanical and dielectric parameters. In an earlier paper, a novel core-shell filler was developed in order to enhance the thermal conductivity in the epoxy composite used as electrical insulation. The new filler was made of a standard material, which was covered by a thin layer of high thermally conductive shell, namely, alumina coated by aluminum nitride. It was previously shown that the epoxy resin filled with the core-shell Al₂O₃@AlN particles showed a significant increase in thermal conductivity with a 63% relative increase. In this paper, a set of complementary measurements was performed and analyzed, namely, rheology, tensile strength, dynamic mechanical analysis, and dilatometry. Moreover, the dielectric permittivity and strength, and electrical resistivity were investigated in order to check if the electrical insulation properties were maintained. The obtained results were compared with the epoxy composite filled with the standard filler. The rheological behavior of the core-shell filled system showed that the processability will not be hindered. The mechanical properties of the composite based on core-shell filler are better than those of the reference system. The coefficient of linear thermal expansion is lower for epoxy filled with core-shell filler, which can lead to better adhesion to internal parts in the electrification devices. The dielectric strength was enhanced by 16% for the core-shell filled epoxy. The investigation clearly demonstrates that the epoxy composite filled with the core-shell particles is an appropriate material for application as electrical insulation with enhanced thermal conductivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications)

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13 pages, 4397 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multifunctional Pd-Based Nanocomposites with Designed Structure from In Situ Growth of Pd Nanoparticles and Polyether Block Amide Copolymer

by Kevin Dal Pont, Anatoli Serghei and Eliane Espuche

Polymers 2021, 13(9), 1477; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13091477 - 03 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1857

Abstract

Nanocomposites containing palladium nanoparticles were synthesized by in situ generation route from palladium acetate and a polyether block amide matrix with the aim to obtain materials with specific nanoparticle location and function properties. The chosen Pebax matrix was composed of a continuous soft phase containing dispersed semi-crystalline rigid domains. Nanocomposite films with Pd amount up to 30 wt% (corresponding to 3.5 vol%) were directly prepared from the palladium precursor and the copolymer matrix through a solvent cast process. The microstructure of the films was investigated by microcalorimetry, X-ray diffraction analyses and transmission electron microscopy. The nanocomposites’ function properties in terms of electrical conductivity and interaction towards hydrogen were studied as a function of the palladium content. It was shown that the spherical crystalline Pd nanoparticles that were in situ formed were located in the continuous soft phase of the copolymer matrix. They did not induce modification of Pebax microstructure and chain mobility. The specific location of the metal nanoparticles within the copolymer matrix associated with their low size allowed obtaining conductive materials for Pd amount equal to 3.5 vol%. Moreover, the affinity towards hydrogen evidenced from hydrogen permeation experiments made this nanocomposite series promising for further development in sensing applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications)

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16 pages, 5171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis, Optical, Chemical and Thermal Characterizations of PMMA-PS/CeO₂ Nanoparticles Thin Film

by Areen A. Bani-Salameh, A. A. Ahmad, A. M. Alsaad, I. A. Qattan and Ihsan A. Aljarrah

Polymers 2021, 13(7), 1158; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13071158 - 04 Apr 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 2610

Abstract

We report the synthesis of hybrid thin films based on polymethyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) doped with 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO₂ NPs). The As-prepared thin films of (PMMA-PS) incorporated with CeO₂ NPs are deposited on a glass substrate. The transmittance T% (λ) and reflectance R% (λ) of PMMA-PS/CeO₂ NPs thin films are measured at room temperature in the spectral range (250–700) nm. High transmittance of 87% is observed in the low-energy regions. However, transmittance decreases sharply to a vanishing value in the high-energy region. In addition, as the CeO₂ NPs concentration is increased, a red shift of the absorption edge is clearly observed suggesting a considerable decrease in the band gap energy of PMMA-PS/CeO₂ NPs thin film. The optical constants (n and k) and related key optical and optoelectronic parameters of PMMA-PS/Ce NPs thin films are reported and interpreted. Furthermore, Tauc and Urbach models are employed to elucidate optical behavior and calculate the band gaps of the as-synthesized nanocomposite thin films. The optical band gap energy of PMMA-PS thin film is found to be 4.03 eV. Optical band gap engineering is found to be possible upon introducing CeO₂ NPs into PMMA-PS polymeric thin films as demonstrated clearly by the continuous decrease of optical band gap upon increasing CeO₂ content. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis is conducted to identify the major vibrational modes of the nanocomposite. The peak at 541.42 cm⁻¹ is assigned to Ce–O and indicates the incorporation of CeO₂ NPs into the copolymers matrices. There were drastic changes to the width and intensity of the vibrational bands of PMMA-PS upon addition of CeO₂ NPs. To examine the chemical and thermal stability, thermogravimetric (TGA) thermograms are measured. We found that (PMMA-PVA)/CeO₂ NPs nanocomposite thin films are thermally stable below 110 °C. Therefore, they could be key candidate materials for a wide range of scaled multifunctional smart optical and optoelectronic devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications)

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13 pages, 3817 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Effect of CeO₂ Nanoparticles as Corrosion Inhibitor in Hybrid Biobased Waterborne Acrylic Direct to Metal Coating Binders

by Edurne González, Robin Stuhr, Jesús Manuel Vega, Eva García-Lecina, Hans-Jürgen Grande, Jose Ramon Leiza and María Paulis

Polymers 2021, 13(6), 848; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13060848 - 10 Mar 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 2726

Abstract

CeO₂ nanoparticles were incorporated in waterborne binders containing high biobased content (up to 70%) in order to analyze the anticorrosion performance for direct to metal coatings. Biobased binders were synthesized by batch miniemulsion polymerization of 2-octyl acrylate and isobornyl methacrylate monomers using a phosphate polymerizable surfactant (Sipomer PAM200) that lead to the formation of phosphate functionalized latexes. Upon the direct application of such binders on steel, the functionalized polymer particles were able to interact with steel, creating a thin phosphatization layer between the metal and the polymer and avoiding flash rust. The in situ incorporation of the CeO₂ nanoparticles during the polymerization process led to their homogeneous distribution in the final polymer film, which produced outstanding anticorrosion performance according to the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy measurements. In fact, steel substrates coated with the hybrid polymer film (30–40 µm thick) showed high barrier corrosion resistance after 41 days (~1000 h) of immersion in NaCl water solution and active inhibition capabilities thanks to the presence of the CeO₂ nanoparticles. This work opens the door to the fabrication of sustainable hybrid anticorrosion waterborne coatings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications)

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12 pages, 4170 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Organo-Modified Montmorillonite Nanoclay on Mechanical, Thermo-Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Phenolic Composites

by Jantrawan Pumchusak, Nonthawat Thajina, Watcharakorn Keawsujai and Pattarakamon Chaiwan

Polymers 2021, 13(5), 754; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13050754 - 28 Feb 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2284

Abstract

This work aims to explore the effect of organo-modified montmorillonite nanoclay (O-MMT) on the mechanical, thermo-mechanical, and thermal properties of carbon fiber-reinforced phenolic composites (CFRP). CFRP at variable O-MMT contents (from 0 to 2.5 wt%) were prepared. The addition of 1.5 wt% O-MMT was found to give the heat resistant polymer composite optimum properties. Compared to the CFRP, the CFRP with 1.5 wt% O-MMT provided a higher tensile strength of 64 MPa (+20%), higher impact strength of 49 kJ/m² (+51%), but a little lower bending strength of 162 MPa (−1%). The composite showed a 64% higher storage modulus at 30 °C of 6.4 GPa. It also could reserve its high modulus up to 145 °C. Moreover, it had a higher heat deflection temperature of 152 °C (+1%) and a higher thermal degradation temperature of 630 °C. This composite could maintain its mechanical properties at high temperature and was a good candidate for heat resistant material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications)

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12 pages, 1931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Densification: A Route towards Enhanced Thermal Conductivity of Epoxy Composites

by Sasan Moradi, Frida Román, Yolanda Calventus and John M. Hutchinson

Polymers 2021, 13(2), 286; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13020286 - 17 Jan 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2324

Abstract

When an amorphous polymer is cooled under pressure from above its glass transition temperature to room temperature, and then the pressure is released, this results in a densified state of the glass. This procedure applied to an epoxy composite system filled with boron nitride (BN) particles has been shown to increase the density of the composite, reduce its enthalpy, and, most importantly, significantly enhance its thermal conductivity. An epoxy-BN composite with 58 wt% BN platelets of average size 30 µm has been densified by curing under pressures of up to 2.0 MPa and then cooling the cured sample to room temperature before releasing the pressure. It is found that the thermal conductivity is increased from approximately 3 W/mK for a sample cured at ambient pressure to approximately 7 W/mK; in parallel, the density increases from 1.55 to 1.72 ± 0.01 g/cm³. This densification process is much more effective in enhancing the thermal conductivity than is either simply applying pressure to consolidate the epoxy composite mixture before curing or applying pressure during cure but then removing the pressure before cooling to room temperature; this last procedure results in a thermal conductivity of approximately 5 W/mK. Furthermore, it has been shown that the densification and corresponding effect on the thermal conductivity is reversible; it can be removed by heating above the glass transition temperature and then cooling without pressure and can be reinstated by again heating above the glass transition temperature and then cooling under pressure. This implies that a densified state and an enhanced thermal conductivity can be induced even in a composite prepared without the use of pressure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications)

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14 pages, 9449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hydrophilic Surface-Modified PAN Nanofibrous Membranes for Efficient Oil–Water Emulsion Separation

by Evren Boyraz and Fatma Yalcinkaya

Polymers 2021, 13(2), 197; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13020197 - 07 Jan 2021

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4949

Abstract

In order to protect the environment, it is important that oily industrial wastewater is degreased before discharging. Membrane filtration is generally preferred for separation of oily wastewater as it does not require any specialised chemical knowledge, and also for its ease of processing, energy efficiency and low maintenance costs. In the present work, hybrid polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous membranes were developed for oily wastewater filtration. Membrane surface modification changed nitrile groups on the surface into carboxylic groups, which improve membrane wettability. Subsequently, TiO₂ nanoparticles were grafted onto the modified membranes to increase flux and permeability. Following alkaline treatment (NaOH, KOH) of the hydrolysed PAN nanofibres, membrane water permeability increased two- to eight-fold, while TiO₂ grafted membrane permeability increase two- to thirteen-fold, compared to unmodified membranes. TiO₂ grafted membranes also displayed amphiphilic properties and a decrease in water contact angle from 78.86° to 0°. Our results indicate that modified PAN nanofibrous membranes represent a promising alternative for oily wastewater filtration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications)

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14 pages, 1911 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polydimethylsiloxane Elastomers Filled with Rod-Like α-MnO₂ Nanoparticles: An Interplay of Structure and Electrorheological Performance

by Alexander V. Agafonov, Anton S. Kraev, Anastasia A. Egorova, Alexander E. Baranchikov, Sergey A. Kozyukhin and Vladimir K. Ivanov

Polymers 2020, 12(12), 2810; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12122810 - 27 Nov 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1667

Abstract

For the first time, electroactive nanocomposite elastomers based on polydimethylsiloxane and filled with rod-like α-MnO₂ nanoparticles have been obtained. The curing of the filled elastomer in an electric field, resulting in the ordering of the α-MnO₂ particles, had a significant effect on the degree of polymer crosslinking, as well as on the electrorheological characteristics of the nanocomposites obtained through this process, namely the values of the storage and loss moduli. The dielectric spectra of filled elastomers in the frequency range 25–10⁶ Hz were analysed in terms of interfacial relaxation processes. It has been shown, for the first time, that the application of an electric field leads to a decrease in the value of the Payne effect in composite elastomers. Analysis of the rheological effect in the obtained materials has demonstrated the possibility of designing highly efficient electrorheological elastomers that change their elastic properties by 4.3 times in electric fields of up to 2 kV/mm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications)

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Review

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17 pages, 1766 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application of Fluids in Supercritical Conditions in the Polymer Industry

by Karol Tutek, Anna Masek, Anna Kosmalska and Stefan Cichosz

Polymers 2021, 13(5), 729; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13050729 - 27 Feb 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3574

Abstract

This article reviews the use of fluids under supercritical conditions in processes related to the modern and innovative polymer industry. The most important processes using supercritical fluids are: extraction, particle formation, micronization, encapsulation, impregnation, polymerization and foaming. This review article briefly describes and characterizes the individual processes, with a focus on extraction, micronization, particle formation and encapsulation. The methods mentioned focus on modifications in the scope of conducting processes in a more ecological manner and showing higher quality efficiency. Nowadays, due to the growing trend of ecological solutions in the chemical industry, we see more and more advanced technological solutions. Less toxic fluids under supercritical conditions can be used as an ecological alternative to organic solvents widely used in the polymer industry. The use of supercritical conditions to conduct these processes creates new opportunities for obtaining materials and products with specialized applications, in particular in the medical, pharmacological, cosmetic and food industries, based on substances of natural sources. The considerations contained in this article are intended to increase the awareness of the need to change the existing techniques. In particular, the importance of using supercritical fluids in more industrial methods and for the development of already known processes, as well as creating new solutions with their use, should be emphasized. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer-Inorganic Composites for Special Applications)

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